Computer Science Education Week Proclamation

Encourage your governor, city council, and mayor to proclaim December 8-14, 2014, Computer Science Education Week using this sample proclamation.

WHEREAS, many science and engineering occupations are predicted to grow faster than the average rate for all occupations, and some of the largest increases will be in engineering- and computer-related fields;

WHEREAS, despite the expected job growth, the supply of new workers in these fields is struggling to keep up with demand, and women remain severely underrepresented;

WHEREAS, although women fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25 percent of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs;

WHEREAS, if women and members of other underrepresented groups joined the STEM workforce in proportion to their representation in the overall labor force, the STEM worker shortage would disappear;

WHEREAS, according to Why So Few?, a 2010 research report by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), negative stereotypes and gender bias in the school climate are barriers that continue to block women’s progress in STEM;

WHEREAS, in a world increasingly dependent on technology, computer science is crucial for every student;

WHEREAS, Computer Science Education Week is observed each year in December in recognition of Rear Adm. Grace Murray Hopper’s birthday;

WHEREAS, Hopper received the AAUW Achievement Award in 1983 for her critical contributions to computer science, including co-inventing the computer language COBOL;

WHEREAS, the goal of Computer Science Education Week is to call attention to the need to improve and strengthen computer science education; and

WHEREAS, in honor of Computer Science Education Week 2014, held December 8-14, members of AAUW and other advocates will be hosting Hour of Code sessions with students nationwide,

NOW, THEREFORE, I, [insert name of public official], do hereby proclaim December 8-14, 2014

COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK

[Insert name of city/county/state] commends AAUW for its leadership on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and urges the citizens of [insert name of city/county/state] to recognize the need for K–12 computer science education and school climates that nurture girls’ participation in STEM activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the official seal of [insert name of city/county/state] to be affixed.